Defectively labeled and nonlabeled



F5225: 5. 1X5/ M20/7a 63 PALMER G. J. DEFECTIVELY LABELED AND NONLABELED CAN DETECTING DEVICE Filed oct. 25, 1948 March 25, 1952 lf .l 121,144 alii mi Patented Mar. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEFECTIVELY LABELED AND NONLABELED CAN DETECTING DEVICE George J. Palmer, Long Beach, Calif.

Application October 25, 1948, Serial No. 56,314

12 Claims. 1

My invention relates to a deiectively labeled and non-labeled can detecting device, and is a continuation in part of my pending application Serial No. 768,114, now Patent No. 2,560,737.

A major object of my invention is to provide a completely integrated defectively labeled and non-labeled can detecting unit which can be removably supported from the can bearing guide means of the device shown in my pending application. Although the detecting means disclosed in my prior application has proved to be satisfactory in operation, I have found my present invention to be more sensitive to deectively labeled cans, as well as being more convenient to install and use. In addition, due to the increased sensitivity of my present detecting device it is adapted to be used with labelers having a higher discharge rate of cans than is possible with the detectors disclosed in my prior application.

Another object of my invention is to provide a can detecting unit having an extremely simple mechanical structure, that can be easily fabricated from standard commercially available material, is relatively inexpensive to produce, and simpliiies the making of repairs on the device disclosed in my prior application in that a new detecting unit can be installed therein with the expenditure of but a minimum of time and effort.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, and from the drawings illustrating that form in which:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of my defectively labeled and non-labeled can detecting device;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. .'-l is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a vacuum breaking valve used in connection with the device;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of one of the sets of resilient electrical contact elements and supporting housing used in the device, with a diagrammatic wiring diagram being shown in connection therewith; and,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the sets of resilient electrical contact elements and its insulated supporting housing.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 for the general arrangement of my defectively labeled and nonlabeled can detecting device it will be seen that the device includes an'inverted U-shaped member le and an L-shaped sheet metal member Il which are removably held together by screws I2 to provide a substantially rectangular frame. The frame is formed into a completely enclosed container I3 by side walls I4 and I5, each of which is aiixed by screws I6 to the member I0. The container I3 is provided with two electrically insulated housings H, with each of the housings extending longitudinally along the upper portion of one of the side walls thereof. The housings H with the container I3 situated therebetween are disposed between the laterally spaced can bearing rails S8. In referring to component parts of my present invention which are not only commen to it but to the device shown in my pending application as well, the numerals used in the pending application will also be used in the present application for the sake of clarity.

In Fig. 1 it will be seen that a number of yscrews I9 engage bores formed in the rails 98 and the housings H to removably hold the container I3 in the desired position between the rails.

The member I0 is formed with a substantially short vertical leg 20, a connecting web 2| that is positioned ush with the upper horizontal surface of the rails 98 over which the cans C roll, and a leg 22 that is parallel to and considerably longer and thicker than the leg 20. Although the member IE) may be fabricated from any substantially rigid material, I have found it convenient to cast these members from one of the relatively light metals such as aluminum or magnesium. In Fig. 2 it will be noted that the leg 22 has a substantially vertical bore 23 formed therein, which is in communication with an intermediately positioned horizontal bore 24. The bore 24 on one end develops into a bore 25 of somewhat larger diameter with which it forms an annular vertical body shoulder 26, and on the opposite end develops into a horizontal bore 21 of substantially smaller diameter. Thefbore 25 is adapted to receive an annular diaphragm 28 having an intermedately positioned annular corrugation 29 formed therein, with the diaphragm being seated against the body shoulder 26, and held in place thereon by an annular ring 30.

A tubular member 3| formed of an electrical insulating material is positioned in the bore 2'I, with the outer end of the member contacting a rectangular sheet of insulating material 32 which is positioned on the exterior face of the leg 22. A metallic plate 33 having the same overall dimensions as the plate 32 is situated on the outer face thereof. i

A horizontal bore 34 is formed in the upper portion of the plate 33, and is in alignment with leg 22.

bores formed in the plate 32 and leg 22, with the bore in leg 22 having a tubular electrical insulator 35 inserted therein. A screw 36 passes through the bore 34, the bore formed in plate 32, and through the insulator 35, with the inwardly disposed end of the screw being provided with an electrical insulating washer 31 and nut 31a for reasons which will hereinafter be explained. A screw 38serves to hold the plate 33 in place by extending through a tubular electrical insulator 38a which is positioned in a bore formed in the plate to engage a tapped bore formed in the The insulator 33a on its outer end is provided with a lip or insulating washer to prevent the screw 38 from serving as an electrical conductor between the plate 33 and the leg 22.

A threaded metallic rod 4i) engages a centrally disposed tapped bore 39 formed in the plate 33, with the rod extending through the insulator 2l' and being provided on its outer end with a handle f' 4|. By rotating the handle lll the inner end 42 of the rod may be brought into the desired relationship with the diaphragm 28 for reasons which will hereinafter be explained.

A conventional pipe fitting 43 which is adapted to receive the threaded end portion of a tube 44 isV affixed to the lower surface of the member and vis in communication with the bore 23. The rtube 44 extends to a T-shaped pipe fitting 45 that` is aiiixed to the suction side of a vacuum I The valve 4'! includes an externally threaded S..

cylindrical plug 48 having a number of vertically positioned bores 49 extending downwardly therethrough. Plug 48 is formed witha centrally disposed vertical bore 55 in which a screw 5| is slid- .ably mounted in an inverted position. A rigid washer. 52 and a washer 52a formed from a resilient material are mounted' between a screw head 53 and the lower face of the plug 4B. A helical spring 54 encircles the upper portion of lthe screw 5| with the lower end of the spring contacting the upper face of the plug 48, and the upper end of the spring in contact with the lowerv face of one of two nuts 55 which are threaded on the screw.

To use my device in detecting loosely labeled cans, an insulated conductor |45 is connected to the diaphragm holding ring 35 in a conventional manner, and a conductor |53 to the screw 3S. The vacuum pump 46 is now started, with the result that a current of air is drawn downwardly through the bore 23 and tube lill. The handle 4| is rotated to bring the rod portion l2 relatively close to the diaphragm 28 in order that as the diaphragm is deformed inwardly by a vacuum being formed in the bore 23 an electric circuit is completed between the conductors |5 and |53 to energize the electronic circuit used in actuating the can ejecting mechanism disclosed in my prior application.

kUpon -a loosely labeled can rolling along the rails 9.8, Athe loose label for an instant is drawn downwardly by the stream of air passing into the tube 23, with the result that the entrance to the bore 23 is momentarily obstructed, and during this period a vacuum is formed in the bore Y which deforms the diaphragm inwardly to make diaphragm 28 that it would be punctured or ruptured on the rod portion 42. Although the vacuum is quickly formed it is not carried beyond a predetermined degree due to the action of the vacuum breaking valve 61. As a vacuum is applied to the valve i1 the washers 52 and 52a are pulled downwardly to admit the air to the pump 45 through the bores .43 which air would normally be supplied to the pump through the Upon the loosely labeled can having passed beyond the bore 23 air is again permitted to be drawn downwardly through the bore 23 and tube 44 into the pump d, with the result that the compression on the helical spring 5 causes the screw 5I and washers 52 and 52a, to move upwardly to obstruct the bores i3 until such time as the entrance to the bore 23 is momentarily closed by the loose label on one of the cans C coming in contact therewith.

Situated within the coniines of the container I3 `is a snap switch i6 having a vertically movable pin 5l that extends upwardly through an opening formed in the web 2|, with the pin on being depressed momentarily by a rolling can C breaking the power supply to the tube |3| and permitting the grid |23 to obtain control of the electronic circuit as described in my pending application. Thus, each time one of the cans C depresses the pin 51 the can ejecting mechanism is placed in a non-actuating condition, and is not actuated until the presence of a non-labeled or loosely labeled can is signaled by one of the detecting devices.

In a detecting and ejecting device in which the defectively labeled and non-labeled cans are displaced from the rails 33 by impact from a solenoid operated member |553 as shown in Figs. 16 and 17 of my pending application, trouble is occasionally encountered by a loose label falling in front of the rolling can to momentarily obstruct the entrance to the bore 23 before the can C having the loose label is in a position to be ejected by the member |33. To eliminate this condition, the electrical contact means shown in ligs.V 4 and 5 are employed. It will be noted that each of the housings H has an inverted L-shaped recess 53 formed along each side thereof, with the outer recess being provided at its forward end with a screw 5|. Supported inthe outer recess 'B by the screw 5| is an inverted L-shaped member 62 that is formed from a resilient electrical conducting material, ywith the member having an upturned leg 53 which is positioned in the vertical portion of the recess to project above the upper surface of the housing H.

Situated near the vertical leg portion of the recess 6!) is a machine screw 54 that serves as an electrical contact member which is engaged by the lower portion of the member 82 as one of the cans C rolls over the member 53. In Figs. 4 and 5 it will be noted that the conductor |53 is connected to the screw 5|, and the conductor |45 is connected to both the diaphragm holding ring 3|! and the can supporting rails 33. An insulated electrical conductor 35 extends from the electrical contact 64 to the screw 35. Thus, upon a perfectly labeled or non-labeled can rolling over the electrical contact niember33, the member 52 is moved downwardly and brought in contact with the screw 66. However, an electrical circuit 28 and rod portion 42 being out of contact with one another.

Upon a loosely labeled can rolling along the rails 98, and the label momentarily covering the entrance to the bore 23, the diaphragm 28 is deformed inwardly as previously described to make contact with the rod portion 42. Such an action, however, does not actuate the solenoid operated ejecting member |63 until the can C is actually in a position to be ejected by the member which is -signaled by the can rolling over the member 63. Upon the member 63 being depressed, the member portion 62 is brought in contact with the electrical contact 64 which completes the circuit between the conductors 45 and |53 to energize the electronic circuit described in my pending application. Thus, in effect I have a delayed action detecting device for a loosely labeled can, with the label obstructing the bore 23 to place the circuit in a condition to be completed which is only accomplished when the can C contacts the member 63. It will be apparent that in this type of detecting device the bore 23 and the contact member 63 must be in substantially the same vertical plane. In the event the member 63 is disposed rearwardly from the bore 23, the portion of the circuit formed by -a loosely labeled can obstructing the bore would be broken by the can moving beyond the bore 23 before contacting the member 63.

In Fig. it will be noted that the inwardly disposed recess 60 has an electrical contact member 62a situated therein that is identical to the previously described member 62. However, the member 62a is electrically connected to the conductor |45 as is the can supporting rail 98. Upon a non-labeled can rolling along the rails 98 and contacting the members 63 and 63a an electrical circuit is immediately established between the conductors |45 and |53 to energize the electronic circuit used in controlling the can ejecting member |63` From the electrical diagram shown in Figs. 4 and 5 it will be apparent that a nonlabeled metallic can will cause an electric circuit to be completed between the conductors |45 and 53 either by contacting the members 63 and`63a, or the member 63 and the rail 98.

By laterally adjusting the member 62 with relation to the rail 98, either by means of shims or other conventional means such as a screw, the sensitivity of my detecting device to cans having mis-aligned labels thereon can be controlled. Should a can having a mis-aligned label thereon travel over the rails 98, the bare portion of the can will enga-ge the member 63 and the rail 98 to complete an electric circuit between the lconductors |45 and |53 to energize the electronic circuit which controls the can ejecting member |63. Thus, the closer the member 62 is situated to the adjoining rail 9B, the greater will be the sensitivity of my device in ejecting cans that have labels that are mis-aligned. Although I have described but one of the housings H used on my detecting device, the housing H disposed on the opposite side thereof is identical in construction and operates in the same manner. To prevent the member 62 or 62a coming in contact with the rails 98 or the side walls of the container I3, a sheet of electrical'insulating mateform of my device a two-way plug is provided in which the ends of the electrical conductors |45 and |53 leading to the electronic circuit controlling the can ejecting mechanism may be removably inserted. A continuation of the conductor |53 extends from the plug 88 to the member 6| and the inwardly disposed end of the screw 36. In a similar manner a continuation of conductor |45 proceeds from the plug 88 to the annular ring 30 to which it is affixed in a conventional manner.

Leading from the snap switch 6 are the electrical conductors I I4 and I1 which terminate in a three-way plug 8| that can be situated in a. convenient location on the device shown in my pending application. The conductor ||4 continues to the electronic circuit from the plug 8|, while the plug serves as the junction point |30 for the conductor I I 'l which is joined therein to the conductor |28. The electrical conductor |21 is joined to the conductor leading to the cathode |24 at the plug 8|.

Should it be desired to use the delayed action type of detecting unit previously described, the conductor |53 between plug 80 and screw 36 is eliminated, and conductor 65 shown in phantom line is extended from the screw 36 to electrical contact 64. The detecting unit then completes the electric circuit between conductors |45 and |53 only when the can C to be ejected rolls over the contact member 63.

Although the defectively labeled Kand nonlabeled can detecting device herein shown and described is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of my invention, and that I do not mean to limit myself to the details of construction herein shown and described other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A switch for detecting loosely labeled and non-labeled cans which includes: a housing formed from an electrical insulating material, with said housing having a recess on each side thereof, and said housing being adapted to be situated adjacent to one of two laterally spaced metallic rails over which cans roll; a resilient metallic member situated in said recess adjacent to said rail; means for spacing said member relative to said rail whereby the sensitivity of said switch is regulated; means for aiiixing an electrical conducting member to said resilient member; an electric Contact mounted on said housing and adapted to be engaged by said member as a can rolls over a projecting portion of said member, with said electric contact being adapted to have an electrical conductor affixed thereto which extends to a vacuum actuated switch that is closed by a loosely labeled can rolling over a predetermined area; a second resilient metallic member mounted in the other. of said recesses; metallic means for holding said member in said recess, with said means being adapted to have an electrical conductor affixed thereto which 'conductor is also connected to said rail whereby a non-labeled can completes an electric circuit to actuate a can ejecting device by simultaneously engaging either said rst and second members or said rst member and said rail, and a loosely labeled can actuating said can ejecting device by moving said iirst member to complete a circuit between said rst member holding means and said electric contact through said vacuum actuated switch.

2. A device 'to detect and eject loosely labeled cans which includes: apair of railsover whicha plurality of cans'roll; a housing positioned below and between said rails, with said housing having a passage extending downwardly from the upper face thereof; means to draw a stream of air through` said passage; a resilient 'member mounted in said housing and in communication with said passage, with said member being de'- formed by a vacuum formed in' said passage as a loose label on one of said cans momentarily blocks the entrance to said passage; a normally open electric circuit; a can ejecting device that is actuated by the completion of said circuit; electrical means to close a portion of said circuit upon said member being deformed; a member that is moved by eachV of said cans; and electrical contact means associated with said member that completes said circuit when said member is moved and said resilient member is deformed.

3. A device to detect and eject loosely labeled cans which includes a pair of rails over which a plurality of cans roll; a housing positioned below and between said rails, with said housing having a passage formed therein, and one of the entrances to said passage formed in the faces of said housing between said rails; means to draw a stream of air through said passage; a resilient diaphragm mounted in said housing and in communication with said passage, with said diaphragm being' deformed by a vacuum formed in said passage as a loose label on one of said cans is drawn into a position by said stream of air to momentarily block the entrance to said passage; a normally open electric circuit; a can ejecting device operatively associated with said rails that is actuated by the completion of said circuit; electrical contact means to partially close said circuit upon said diaphragm being deformed; and electrical contact means that complete the closing of said circuit upon said can having the loose label that blocks the entrance to said passage reaching a predetermined position relative to said housing.

4. A device to detect and eject loosely labeled cans which includes: a pair of rails over'which a plurality of cans roll; a housing positioned below and between said rails` with said housing having a passage formed therein, and one of the entrances to said passage being formed in the face of said housing positioned between said rails; means to draw a stream oi air through said passage; a resilient Ydiaphragm mounted in said housing and in communication with said passage, withsaid diaphragm being deformed by a vacuum formed in said passage as a loose label on one of said cans is drawn into a position by said stream of Vair to momentarily block the entrance to said passage; a normally open electric circuit; a cam ejecting device operatively associated with said rails that is actuated by the completion of said circuit; electrical contact means that partially close said circuitvupon said diaphragm being deformed; a member that is moved as each of said cans pass over said rails; and electrical contact means that are engaged as said member is moved to complete said circuit only when said diaphragm is deformed.

5. A device to detect and ejectl loosely labeled cans which includes: a supporting means over which a plurality of cans roll; a housing below said. supporting. means and in the path of said c ans, .with said housing having apassage extending downwardly from the upper face thereof; means to draw a stream of air through said passage; a resilient diaphragm mounted in saidhousing and in communication with said passage, with said diaphragm being deformed by a vacuum formed in said passage as a loose label on one of said cans is drawn into a position by said stream of air to momentarily block the entrance to said passage; a normally open electric circuit; a can ejecting device operatively associated 'with said rails that is actuated by the completion of said circuit; an electrical contact that is engaged as said diaphragm is deformed; a movablevelectrical conducting member mounted onfsaid supporting means that is moved as each of said cans pass thereover; an electrical contact that is engaged as said conducting member Vis moved; and an electrical conducting member connecting said two electrical contacts and completing said circuit only when said diaphragm is deformed and said conducting member is moved.

6. A device to detect loosely labeled cans which includes: pair of rails over which a pluralityY of cans roll; a housing positioned below and between said rails, with said housing having apassage formed therein through which a stream of air may be continuously drawn, and the entrance to said passage being formed in the face of said housing situated between said rails; a normally open electric circuit; a can ejecting device op* erating associated with said rails that is actuated upon completion of said circuit; electrical contact means that are actuated to partially complete said circuit upon a'vacuum being formed in said passage by a loose label on one of said cans being drawn by said air stream into a passage blocking position; a member mounted on one of said rails that is moved as each of said cans pass thereover; and an electrical contact that is engaged as said member is moved to complete said circuit.

7. A device to detect and eject loosely labeled cans which includes: pair of rails over which a plurality of cans roll; a housing positioned below and between said rails, with said housing having a passage formedtherein, and'oneV of the entrances to said passage being formed in said face that is situated between said rails; meansV to draw a stream of air through said passage; a resilient member mounted in said housing and in communication with said passage, with said member being deformed by a vacuum formed in said passage as a loose label on one of said cans momentarily blocks the entrance to said passage; a normally open electric circuit; a can ejecting device operatively associated with said rails that is actuated by thel completion of said circuit; electrical means that vclose a portion of said circuit upon said member being deformed; electric switch means that close the balance of said circuit upon one of said cans having a loose label coming in contact therewith; and valve means that regulate the extent to which said vacuum can be formed in said passage whereby said resilient member will not be damaged.

8. A device to detect and eject looselylabeled cans which includes: pair of rails over which a plurality of cans roll; a housing positioned below and between said rails, with said housing having a passage formed therein, and one of the entrances to said passage Ybeing formed in the face of said housing positioned between said rails; means to draw a stream of air through saidpassage; a resilient diaphragm mounted in said housing and in communication with said passage, with said diaphragm being deformed by a vacuum formed in said passage as a loose label on one of said cans is drawn into a position by said stream of air to momentarily block the entrance to said passage; a normally open electric circuit; a can ejecting device operatively associated with said rails that is actuated by the completion of said circuit; electrical Contact means to partially close said circuit upon said diaphragm being deformed; electrical contact means to complete the closing of said circuit upon said loose labeled can reaching a predetermined position relative to said housing; and valve means to regulate the extent to which said vacuum can be formed in said passage whereby said diaphragm will not be damaged.

9. A loosely labeled and non-labeled can detecting device and ejecting that includes: a pair of rails over which a plurality of cans roll a housing having a passage formed therein through which a stream of air may be drawn, with said housing positioned below and between said two rails; a resilient diaphragm in said housing that is in communication with said passage, with said diaphragm being deformed upon a vacuum being formed in said passage as a loose label on one of said cans is drawn into a passage obstructing position by said air stream; a normally open electric circuit; a can ejecting device operatively associated with said rails that' is actuated by the completion of said circuit; a plurality of laterally spaced movable electrical conductors operatively associated with said rails, and said conductor completing said circuit when contacted by a non-labeled metallic can; an electrical contact that is engaged by one of said conductors as it is moved by a can; an electrical contact that is engaged by said diaphragm as it is deformed; and an electrical conductor connecting said two contacts and completing said circuit when a loose labeled can causes the deformation of said diaphragm and movement of said movable conductors.

10. A loosely labeled and non-labeled can detecting and device which includes: a pair of rails over which a plurality of cans roll a housing having a passage formed therein through which a stream of air may be drawn, with said housing positioned between said rails; a plurality of laterally spaced movable electrical conducting members operatively associated with said rails; a normally open electric circuit; a can ejecting device operatively associated with said rails that is actuated by the completion of said circuit; means that complete said circuit upon a nonlabeled metallic can contacting said movable members; and electrical contact means that complete said circuit by a loose label on one of said cans being drawn into a passage obstructing position by said air stream and said loose labeled can moving one of said movable members.

11. A loosely labeled and non-labeled can detecting and ejecting device which includes: a pair of rails over which a plurality of cans roll; a housing having a passage formed therein through which a stream of air may be drawn, with said housing positioned below and between said rails; a resilient diaphragm mounted in said housing and in communication with said passage with said diaphragm being deformed when subjected to a vacuum; a normally open electric circuit; a can ejecting device that is actuated by the completion of said circuit; a movable electrical conducting member operatively associated with said rails that completes said circuit upon being contacted by a non-labeled metallic can; and electrical contact means that complete said circuit upon said diaphragm being deformed by a loose label on one of said cans being drawn into a passage blocking position by said air stream and said movable member being moved by said can causing said diaphragm deformation.

12. A loosely labeled and non-labeled can detecting and ejecting device which includes: a pair of rails over which a plurality of cans roll; a housing having a passage extending downwardly therein through which a stream of air may be drawn, with said housing positioned below and between said rails; a resilient diaphragm mounted in said housing and in communication with said passage with said diaphragm being deformed when subjected to a vacuum a normally open electric circuit; a can ejecting device operatively associated with said rails that is actuated by the completion of said circuit; a movable electrical conducting member operatively associated with said rails that completes said circuit upon being contacted by a non-labeled metallic can; electrical contact means that complete said circuit only upon a loose label on one of said cans being drawn into a position by said air stream to block said passage and form a vacuum in said passage and said loose labeled can moving said movable member; and valve means regulating the extent to which said vacuum can be formed in said passage to prevent damage to said diaphragm.

GEORGE J. PALMER.

REFERENCES CITEDY The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 17,348 Clarke May 19, 1857 1,381,789 Braconier June 14, 1921 1,510,616 Wild Oct. 7, 1924 1,685,866 Raymond Oct. 2, 1928 1,687,209 Holmes Oct. 9, 1928 1,790,564 Williams Jan. 27, 1931 2,070,339 Moore Feb. 9, 1937 2,270,428 Flint J an. 20, 1942 2,486,546 Austin Nov. 1, 1949 

